Electrometric appliance.



W. JANDUS.

BLBOTROMETRIC APPLIANCE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 16, 1906.

Patented Aug. 18, 19%

rHE NORRLS PETERS cu PNOro-Lnna, wAsmNuwu. n 1:.

W. JANDUS.

ELECTROMBTRIG APPLIANCE.

APPLIOATION FILED APE.16,1908

1,107,670. Patented Aug. 18, 1914.

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7MFM/ THE NORRIS PEYERS 60.. PHOTO LIrHOH WASHINGTON, D. C.

WILLIAM JANDUS, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

ELECTROMETRIC APPLIANCE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented A11 18, 1914.

Application filed April 16. 1906. Serial No. 311,853.

7 '0 old whom it may concern: lie it known that 1, WILLIAM JANDUS, a I citizen. of the United States, resident of[ Cleveland, county of Cuyahoga, and State l of Ohio, have invented a new and useful I 111- 1 prm'ement in Electrometric Appliances, of 1 which the following is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein explained and. the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions. My invention relates to means for con- Q verting large units of electri *al energy into I niechanicaLmovement by means of the principle of the expansion and contraction of} electric conductors resultingfrom the heat 2 generated by their resistance to the flow of an electric current. and particularly to means for thus converting electrical energy in its application to electro-metric appliances.

y The object of the invention is to utilize without waste of external resistance the full value of the current passing through the operating elements and thereby to permit of a larger scope of torque in such instruments while reducing the heat and frictional factors to a negligible quantity. This object is attained by stringing the full length of the resistance to be used, on suitably insulated supports, so as to produce an electro-thermic element comprising a plurality of strands of very fine wire. In this manner great lengths of wire may be wound into neat, compact, .l'lat coils occupying a very small. compass, and by suitable mechanism the full value of the expansion and contraction of the electro-thermic element thus formed may be converted into movement by multiplying devices. A distinctive feature of these elements is that they are readily detacl'iable and replaceable, and complete with in themselves as an article of manufacture. l urthermore, the insulating supports of the elements are so designed that, when placed in operating position, the elements are selfadj listing as to the tension of the individual strands of wire. that is, the individual wires act at substantially the same tension, and also simultaneously and collectively.

By the use of an electro-themlic element of the above-described construction and properties,--the specific parts of which and their relative arrangement will be hereinafter fully described,-I am enabled to obtain from twice to one-hundred or more times the torque client of the single-wire instrumcnts of the prevailing type, and I have thus a large margin for reducing the heat and tension factors of the present hot-wire devices.

Said invention as embodied in a volt-- meter, and, also, one form of construction which is capable of embodiment in an am- .metcr, are hereinafter fully described and specifically set forth in the claims.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, said disclosed means constituting but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used. y y

In said annexed drawings: I igure 1. represents a plan view of a volt-meter embodying my invention, the cover-plate being re moved, and an annular member, which sup ports the indlcatlng needle and some connected parts, being broken away to disclose the electro-tllermic element, a thermic element, and other parts of theinvention connected therewith; Fig. 2 representsan cle ration of the invention, with part of the lower case, and the supporting member for the indicating needle broken away and in section; F igs. 3 and 4t represent elevations of the right-hand and left-hand ends, respectively, of the invention; Figs. 5 and 6 represent elevations respectively, of a spring plate and a second plate adapted to oscillate upon pin-bearings provided upon said spring-plate; Fi T represents an edge view of said oscillatory plate; Fig. 8 represents an elevation of a pivoted frame secured to each end of the electro-thermic element, the bearmgpms of the especial frame here shown being so disposed as to adapt this frame to be secured to the left-hand end of a the element which I have illustrated; Fig.

9 represents an enlarged broken perspective view of said elcctro-thermic element with the locking device or frame, shown in Fig. 8 removed; Figs. 10 and 11, represent edge and face views, respectively, of said element, showing the pivoted frames in position; Figs. 12 and 13 represent views of an electrothermic element as modified for use in an ammeter; Figs. 14 and 15 represent views y,

The electro-thermic elements, each of which is entire as a new article of manufao ture, constitute the important feature of my invention, and one of them is used in each machine or appliance. I shall. now describe the construction of the same as embodied in a volt-meter, particular reference being made to Figs. 9, 1,0, and 11, in which said element is shown. I have designated the same by the reference character A, and it comprises a continuous conductor of fine metal wire of high electrical resistance, wound over and over two insulating sheaths a a, covering suitable cores or supports a", thus forming a. flat coil comprising a plurality of wires a. These sheaths to a form in effecta part of the cores or supports and are provided with deep grooves (4 in which the wire is sunk, as shown in Fig. 9.

The supports a can best be described as comprising two parts of a divided bobbin of small diameter, since they are in effect the two halves of what would be a single bobbin if the opposing surfaces of said supports were brought into juxtaposition. In other words, both supports could be derived from a single bobbin, comprising two side portions of circular cross-section and an intermediate thin portion of rectangular crosssection, by cutting said bobbin apart longitudinally of said thin portion. The grooves a as will be clearly noted in Fig. 9, run transversely of the axial line of the supports (4 and extend throughout the whole width of said supports. The hot-wire or elect-rothermic element ultimately reduced comprises a plurality of wires and the two parts of the grooved insulating divided bobbin or grooved insulating supports. The wires (6 are sunk into the grooves a of these bobbin parts a a so that they are on a level with, or below the level of, the outer surface of said sheaths o a, and cannot be crushed, but are free to move and yet are thus permanently secured to said sheaths a a. Thus the wires can pull upon the sup sorts individually and can adjust themselves in dividually relatively to said supports, which adjustment tends to equalize the tension upon such wires. The divided bobbin parts a and sheaths a a. are supplemented by outer insulating sheaths c which inclose said sheaths a a, and thus, in combination with the latter, form effectual insulating coverings for the wires a by means of which the latter are isolated one from the other. Incasing the sheaths a transversely of th. wires (5, and bearing upon all sections of the supports a with equal pressure, are metal housings o Secured to these housings and locking the latter and the sheaths a o together, are frames a Fig. 8, also disposed transversely of the wires a and bearing with equal pressure upon all cross-sections of the housings a Said frames a are provided with pin-bearings a two upon each frame, the bearings upon the frame at one end of the electro-thermic element being disposed at right angles to those upon the frame at the other end. As a result of this construction. of the electro-t-hermic element, I have provided a plurality of conductor members in. series, which exert a pull upon their supports individually, simultaneously, and collectively, when the supports are normally suspended in operative position, the wires adjusting themselves, both during the making and during the operation of the element, within the deep grooves (4 which keep the separate w' apart. The relative rightangular arrangement of the bearings at the two ends of the element, together with the equal pressure produced upon all sections of the wires a by the housings a and the frames at", effect an equal tension in the individual wires. Further, by reason of the relative right-angular arrangement of the pin-bearings (tithe electro-thermic element can, when in operative position, oscillate in both vertical and horizontal planes.

I wish to call particular attention to the fact that :tiexure of the supports a is obviated by means of the construction hereinbefore described, so that they cannot be strained out of shape or position by the tension. in the wires (1, and, also, to the fact that, due to the great sub-division of the wires, they heat and cool rapidly, and thus enable the needle to respond to and indicate any changes in the current very quickly. it is therefore seen that when the conductor members (L are contracted or expanded, the effect of each such conductor member upon the supports is simultaneous, the total result being the collective effect of all the members, each member acting at the same tension. Since the tensile strength of the element A is equal to the sum of the tensile strengths of all the wires a, it is evident that the full thermic effect of the current may be cbtai led and expressed in force, the output of power being limited only by the limit of elasticity of the wires a. This amountof power is so much in excess of that needed for indicating mechanism that l am enabled to reduce both the tension of the wire elements and the heatof expansion far below the safe limits to be observed in order to prevent deterioration and still obtain more than suflicient force to easily operate the said indicating means. This, of course, depends upon the number and length of wires a. In practice I make this number such as to give a desired predetermined resistance. This should be such as to cause the conductor to transmit a current of about one-tenth of an ampere. The free ends of the conductor are wound to form terminals a a connected to the binding posts N, Fig. 1, each comprising several strands of wire, one terminal at each end of the element A, as shown, Figs. 10 and 11, or any other suitable or desirable arrangement. The strands entering into the respective terminals a being thus wound together and clamped, along with the intermediate turns or convolutions of wire, between the two corresponding insulating sheaths by means of the metal housing a are in eil'ect secured to the support and thus form fixed points of attachment for said wires to the latter. In other words, the terminals a are not under tension but being loose may be made of any suitable length so as to permit of their ready connection with binding posts N. it will accordingly be seen, that, as stated above, the electro-thermal element A may be easily detached and bodily removed, all without disarrangement of the strands upon the supports about which they are wound.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 1, 2, S, 4, 14L and 15, B represents a compensatory thermie element not forming a part of the electric circuit, which hence expanded and. contracted only by changes of temperature in its environment, it being provided with a central pin bearing Z) on its right hand support 6, and two pin-bearings 1) upon its left hand support, Fig. 15.v Hence, a change in one of the elements A and B, due to changes of temperature of the atmosphere or of the parts, is compensated for by a like change in the other element, so that the indicating mechanism is actuated only by means of the thermic effect of the current upon the wires of the electro-thermic element A. A strong spring-plate C is secured in the case D of the voltmeter by means of a bolt E, said spring-plate C passing around. a steadying bolt F/ and being provided at its outer end with insulated pinbearings c. This spring-plate C is an adjuster of tension, equalizing the tension of the two elements A and B whenever either of them is affected by the heat. An oscillatory plate F, Figs. 1, 2, 4, 6, and 7, is provided with conical recesses centrally-located relatively to the elements A. and B and adapted to receive the pin-bearings cwhereby said plate F is fulcrumed upon said pinbearings, said recesses being the dotted middle ones of the upper and lower sets of three, shown in Fig. 6. One end of the electrothermic element A and one end of the thermic element- B are pivoted upon said oscillatory plate F and at equal distances from the pin-bearings c, the relative position of the elements A and B and the oscillatory plate F being fully shown in the drawing. Since the distance from the pin-bearing c to the pin-bearing b is exactly equal to the distance from the pin-bearing c to the pin-bearing a and since the elements and B are of the same material, the expansion or con traction due to external heat will not affect the zero point. Said oscillatory plate F is also provided with conical. recesses :tor the pin-bearings b and or", as shown in Fig. 6, the left recesses f shown in said figure be ing adapted to receive the pin bearings b, and the right recesses f being adapted to receive the pin hearings at", but obviously the pindnrarings in either or all. cases might be secured to the oscillatory plate F and the conical recesses be provided in the springplate (7, thermic element l3, and electrothermic element A, respectively. Suitably supported upon an annular member ll of the frame is a second member ll, Fig. 1, having its inner end located substantially in the axial line of the instrument, in which end is mounted an arbor it upon which carried an indicating needle It, Figs. 1 and 2. The arbor h is provided with two flanges 71. which form lnrtaveen them a drum /r". The indicating needle it rests upon the upper flange 71 and is clamped from above by a washer h". Adjustably secured to the oscillatory plate F by means of a clamp j" is a lever or fork J provided with flexible tines j j, the extremities of which are designed to be widely separated and connected by a thread or belt 7" which is wrapped about the drum h of the pointer h. The belt or thread j is of such a length that a great latitude of tlcxure is secured, so that the friction upon the drum it, which would be caused by the movement of the tines j in adjusting the lever J, is greatly rediwed. By reason of the adjustment of the lever, the range of movement ol the needle can be regulated, so that it is not necessary to provide a separate scale for each instrument, but the latter can be adjusted to any predetermined scale within reasonable limits. It will thus be noted that any expansive eli'ects oi the wire (a, due to the passage of an electric current, will set the spring (1 into operation to equalize the disturbed tension of the two members A and B and thus communicate a movement to the oscillatory plate F, which will in turn cause the actuation of the pointer it, thus definitely indicating the movement upon the dial.

In order to adapt the instrument for use as an ammeter, either one of two expedients may be adopted: utilizing a heavy conductor sullicient to carry a current of the specified strength. such conductor having a small resistance like silver, and winding it serially upon insulating supports; or, (2') winding a coil of thin wire oil great resistance in, parallel by stringing it upon metal su ')ports, thus producing a flat coil parallel wound. liy thus discardingtheinsulation in the sheaths or sll]i)1)( ll."-5 the comluctor elemerits or wires o are taken out of series and put into pa rallel. and the resistance of the whole element is reduced proportionately to the whole number of wires and inversely as the length of the wires so paralleled, so that the instriuncnt is adapted to measure current strength or amperes. To make this ammeter form of construction, the wires (6 are soldered or otherwise suitably secured to the wings a of the supports (0 Figs. 12 and 13, in order to make a perfect contact. The pin-bearings a Of these supports a are not designed to project beyond these wings a it will also be noted in the volt-meter construction, Figs. 10 and 11, that the pin-bearings a do not project beyond the metal housings a but, in fact, are so short that their pivot points are drawn slightly within the outer extremities of said housings, whereby the supports cannot turn upon themselves as they would if the pin-bearings were too long; While, on the other hand, such bearings are of a suflicientlength so that there is no error introduced into the reading by reason of the expansive effects of the supports, but only the expansive eiiects of that part of the wires between the inner ends of the pinbearings aiti'ects the operation of the needle.

Referring to Figs. 1 noted that the right-hand end of the thermic element B is pivoted to a plate L and the right-hand end of the electro-thermic element A is pivoted to a second plate K on both sides of an opening is provided in said plate. Both of said plates K and L are secured intermediately of the basemember D and the annular member H by means of the bolts P and Q respectively, the plate K being rigidly secured by the bolt P and the lugs if, and the plate L having a turning movement upon the bolt Q. Said plates K and L are secured together by means of the bolt S which is longitudinally fixed relatively to,

tl e frame of the appliance and relatively to the plate K, but which has a screw thread engagement with the inner end of the plate L, so that the distance between the latter and said plate 1*; can be adjusted, whereby the zero point can be obtained by turning the bolt 5 as desired and moving the inner end of the plate L in or out, said plate turning upon the bolt Q,

Reterring particularly to Fig. 15, I have provided an element of a construction where in one of the conductor-supports has two bearings disposed in line with the longitudinal axis oi said support; whereas, the support at the other end has only one bearing disposed centrally of the latter support,

whereby the conductor-ribbon or wires are rendered self-adjusting as to tension, when the element is in, operative position. Suitable terminals for the appliance are indicated at T T, Fig. 1. All appreciable errors of reading, due to induction in potential or volt-meter coils, are eliminated by having the opposing wires a in close approach so as to render them non-inductive,

as shown particularly in Figs. 9 and 10. To

and 25, it will be iinlicate how negligible is the induction in these COllS due to alternating currents, I

herewith give data of a voltmeter coil designed to measure 150 volts:

Width of spool winding in centimeters 1.9 Cross-sectional area of the coil in square centimeters i i 2.02 Number of turns of wire 48 Resistance of the wire 1500 ohms Turns of wire per centimeter of width 25.3

150 volts, direct current, will force of an ampere through the 1500 ohms resistance. irssunnng the frequency of an alteri'iating current at 100, a pressure of volts would be required to force t; of an ampere through this same resistance of 1500 (inns, on an alternating current circult, where Then, since E C {R zn y 16 150.0000000125 volts, which is so slight a difference from the voltage of the direct current as to be beyond the mechanical limits of measurement.

Having thus described my invention in detail, that which I particularly point out and distinctly claim, is

1.111 electrometric appliances, an in dependent, bodily-removable hot-wire element comprising supports, and a continuous conductor wound about said supports and having its respective ends fixed thereto.

In electrometric applicances, an independent, bodily-removable hot-wire element comprising two supports each provided with grooves extending transversely of its axis throughout its length, and a continuous conductor wound about said supports and lying in the grooves therein, the respective ends of said conductor being fixed to said supports.

35. In electro-metric appliances, a detachable hot-wire element comprising a plurality of wires; two supports provided with in which said wires are wound, op-

u posing wires being disposed in close approach; insulating sheaths adapted to inclose the respective SUPPOItS; and metal housings for said sheaths.

4;. In electrom etric appliances, a hot-wire element comprising a plurality of wires; two supports provided with grooves in which said wires are wound; insulating sheaths aoapted to i close the respective supports; metal housings for said sheaths; and frames adapted to lock said sheaths and housings together.

In electro-metrlc appllances, a hot-Wire element comprlsmg a plural ty of Wires;

and supports, upon which the latter are serially wound, each comprising two insulating sheaths adapted to receive and inclose the Wires, and a metal housing adapted to lock said sheaths together. a

6. In electro-metric appliances, a detachable hot-wire element comprising a plurality of Wires; and supports, upon which the Wiresare serially wound, each consisting of two insulating sheaths adapted to receive and inclose the wires, a metal h0using adapted to lock said sheaths together, and a frame adapted to lock said sheaths and housing together.

7 In electro-metric appliances, a hotwire element comprising a plurality of wires; and supports, upon which the latter are serially wound, each provided with two insulatin sheaths adapted to receive and inclosc the wires, and bearings, the bearings of one support being arranged at right angles to the bearin s of the other support.

8. In electro-metric appliances, a detachable hot-wire element comprising a plurality of wires; and supports upon which the latter are serially wound, each consisting oi two insulating sheaths adapted to receive and lnclose the wires, a metal housing for said sheaths, and a frame provided with bearin s and ada ted to lock said sheaths and housing together, the bearings of the frame of one support being arranged at right angles to the bearings of the frame of the other support.

9. In electro-metric appliances, a hot-wire element comprising a plurality of wires: and supports for the latter consisting of a divided bobbin upon which said wires are wound, and two sets of pin-bearings fixed relatively to the respective parts of said bobbin, said two sets of bearings being arranged at right angles to one another.

10. In electro -metr3ic appliances, a detachable hot-wire element comprising a plurality of Wires; and supports for the latter consisting of an insulating divided bobbin upon which said wires are serially wound. and members inclosing the respective parts of said bobbin and provided with pin-bear :ings, the bearings of one of said members being arranged at right angles to the bean ings of the other members.

11. In electro-metric appliances, a hotwire element comprising a plurality of wires; and supports for the latter consisting of an insulating divided bobbin upon which said wires are serially wound, and members tightly inclosing the respective parts of said bobbin transversely of said wires and bear ing with equal force upon all cross-sections of said bobbin, said members being provided with pin-bearings, and being adapted to lock said sheaths and housing together, the bearings of the member of one support being ar anged at right angles to the bearings of the member of the other support.

12. In electro-metric appliances, a detachable hot-wire element comprising a plurality cl wires; and supports for the latter consisting oi an insulating divided bobbin upon which said wires are serially wound, insulating sheaths adapted to inc-lose the respective parts of said bobbin, metal housings tightly inclosing said sheaths transversely ofsaid wires and bearing with equal force upon all cross-sections of said bobbin, and frames adapted to lock said bobbin, sheaths and jlIOUSlII 'S together, and provided with pinbcarings, the bearings of one of said frames being arranged at right angles to the bearings of the other frame.

13. In clectro-metrlc appliances, a hotwire element comprising a continuous conductor wound into a flat coil, and insulating oscillatory supports over which said conductor is so wound, changes in the tension of each individual strand of wire being adapted to automatically oscillate said supports.

14. In electro-metrie appliances, a detachable hot-wire element comprising a conductor, and supports For the latter each prolvided with bearings and including a part of a divided bobbin, the bearings oi one support beingarranged at right angles to the bearings of the other support.

1!). In electro-metric appliances, a detachable hot-wire element comprising a single metal ribbon or wire, and supports for the latter each provided with pin-bearings and comprising a part oi. a divided bobbin, the bearings of one support being arranged at right angles to the bearings of the other support. 1 16. In clectro-metrii appliances, a spring: plate provided with insulatedbearings, a second plate adapted to oscillate upon said bearings, the spring tension oi. said first plate being exerted against said second plate; two members; and bearings pivotally connecting sald two members to said second plate. one o'l" said members including an electro-thermic element.

17. In clectroanetric appliances, a spring plate provided with insulated bearings; a second plate adapted to oscillate upon said bearings, the spring tension of said first plate being exerted against said second plate; two members; bearings pivotally con necting said two members to said second plate: and an clectro-thermic clement secured to one of said members; the other of said members being subject only to tempera ture changes.

'18. In electroanctric appliances, a springplate provided with bearings; a second plate adapted to oscillate upon said bearings; two members; bearings pivotally connecting said two members to said second plate, one of said members including an electro-thermic element; indicating mechanism and a flexible lever member adapted to actuate the indicating mechanism and a-djustably secured to said oscillatory plate.

19. In electro-metric appliances, a springplate provided with insulated bearings; a second plate adapted to oscillate upon said bearings; an electro-therniic element pivotally secured tosaid second plate; a thermic element pivotally secured to said second plate; a fork adjustably secured to said oscillatory plate and provided with yielding tines; an operating needle pivotally secured to the frame of the appliance; and a thread connected to the tines of said fork, passing around the drum of said needle, and of a length such as to allow, when said fork is adjusted, great latitude of flexure without fli etional strain upon said drum.

20. In electro-metric appliances, a spring-- plate provided with bearings; a second plate adapted to oscillate upon said bearings; two members; pin-bearings pivotally connecting said two members to said second plate; a hot-wire element secured to one of said members, the other of said members being subject only to temperature changes, indieating mechanism; and a flexible lever adapted to actuate said indicating mechanism and adjustably secured to said oscillatory plate.

21 In electro-metric appliances, the combination of a spring-plate and a rigid plate; indicating mechanism; a third plate oscil latorily secured to said spring-plate, and connected to the indicating mechanism; and a hot-wire element and a thermic element both pivotally secured at one end to said rigid plate, and at the other end to said oscillatory plate.

22. In electro-metric appliances, the combination of aspring-plate and arigid plate; indicating mechanism; a third plate oscillatorily secured to said spring-plate, and con,- nected to the indicating mechanism; and a hot-wire element and a thermic element both pivotally secured at one end to said rigid plate, and at the other end to said oscillatory plate, the pivotal points at one end of said hot-wire element being arranged at right-angles to those at the other end.

23. In electro-metric appliances, the combination of a spring-plate and a rigid plate; indicatingmechanism; a third plate oscillatorily secured to said spring-plate; a hot- Wire element anda thermic element both Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents.

pivotally secured at one end to said rigid plate, and at the other end to said oscillatory plate; and a flexible lever adapted to actuate the indicating mechanism and secured to said oscillatory plate.

In electro-thermic appliances, the combination of a spring-plate and a rigid plate; indicating mechanism; a third plate oscillatorily secured tosaid spring-plate; a hota third plate oscillatorily secured to said spring-plate; a hot-wire element and a thermic element both pivotally secured at one end to said fixed plate, and at the other end to said oscillatory plate; a fork adjustably secured to the latter and provided with yielding tines; an operating needle pivotally secured to the frame of the appliance; and a thread connected to the tines of said fork, passing around the drum of said needle, and of a length such as to allow, when said fork is adjusted, great latitude of fleXure without frictional strain upon said drum.

26. In 'electro-1netric appliances, the combination of a hot-wire element and a thermic element; a plate, connected to the indi cating mechanism, upon which one end of each of said elements is pivoted; a springplate upon which said first-named plate is fulcrumed; a member rigidly secured to the frame of the appliance, and upon which the other end of. said hot-wire element is pivoted; a second member, rotatably secured at one end in the frame of the appliance, upon which the other end of. said thermic element is pivoted; and a bolt longitudinally secured to said rigid member and having a screwthread engagement with the other end of said rotatable member.

Signed by me this 11 day of April, 1906.

\VILLIAM J ANDUS.

Attested by- JNo. F. OBERLIN, G. W. SAYWELL.

Washington, D. 0. 

